Chapter 3: Meeting The Captain
Upon entering the encampment, Bill led the way, swimming deeper into the underwater complex. As we navigated through the maze of aquatic structures, I noticed a few other Merrows, each armed and armored much like Bill. They passed us silent nods, a tacit acknowledgement of comradeship, though I was unsure whether these gestures were aimed at me or at Bill. To prevent any faux pas, I returned the nods as subtly as I could.
"When we meet the Captain," Bill advised me, "place your right hand on the left side of your chest and lower your head." His tone was gentle but serious. I was still slightly distracted by the new faces we were passing, but the importance of his words registered clearly.
"Alright... but is the Captain... uh, is he approachable? Should I be concerned?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly. My anxiety was climbing, manifesting itself as a fluttering in my chest and a clammy feeling on my skin.
Bill sighed softly, more to himself than to me. "You really don't remember… He's decent enough. Though, if he can't assist you, I'm uncertain what will happen next..."
His response did little to ease my nerves. Swallowing hard, I managed a strained, "Got it..." In truth, I hadn't fully grasped the situation. I was here through no fault of my own, yet I found myself in a precarious position. Gale, the guide when I first logged in, had left me high and dry. Once I got out of here, I decided, I'd give the company a piece of my mind.
Suddenly, realization struck me like a thunderbolt, making me freeze mid-swim. Bill noticed my abrupt halt and turned around, his brows furrowed in confusion.
My heart pounded in my chest. Five to one… I was stuck here for five years… not one… The reality of the time difference had completely slipped my mind. Every five seconds here amounted to just one second back home.
Despair washed over me. Sure, surviving a year in this world might have been feasible - in a worst-case scenario, I could've hidden away for the duration. But five years was another story entirely. Even if I chose to hide, the sheer boredom and desire to explore would eventually draw me out.
Bill's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, "You coming?" His question, posed with slight concern, likely saved me from a full-blown panic attack.
"Y-Yeah sorry…" I stammered, quickly resuming my swim to catch up with him. As I closed the gap, Bill turned back towards our destination, a large building I assumed to be the Captain's quarters.
As we reached the entrance, Bill performed the salute he had taught me - right hand over the left side of the chest. I quickly followed suit.
"Soldier Bill, along with Soldier Lucas, requesting permission to enter, Captain," Bill's voice rang out, embodying the crisp and disciplined tone I had associated with soldiers addressing their superiors.
"Granted, come in." The reply came from within, the voice deep and authoritative. With a swift motion, Bill swam inside, leaving me to follow in his wake.
Inside, the building was largely bare, save for its structural columns and a few desks strewn with various papers. At the far end of the room, behind the largest desk, sat a broad-shouldered Merrow, whose armor outshone ours in both design and materials. Decorated with an array of resplendent jewels, it likely cost a fortune, provided this kingdom had an understanding of wealth.
Despite the Captain's physically imposing appearance and resonating voice, his demeanor exuded an unexpected warmth and approachability. His features were relaxed, his smile easy, and his posture casual. Yet, the striking pair of massive horns that arched around his head, forming an incomplete crown, served as an unmissable testament to his authority. They were the largest I'd seen on any Merrow so far, adding to his commanding presence.
"What can I help you both with?" he asked, his voice deep but welcoming. Bill and I, nearly in unison, performed our ceremonial salute - right hands to our left chests.
Bill was the first to speak. "Well, Captain," he began, his voice steady but laced with a hint of uncertainty, "It's quite an unusual situation. Soldier Lucas here claims to be suffering from memory loss. From what I've witnessed and assessed, his claim seems to be genuine."
Upon hearing this, the Captain turned his gaze towards me. His scrutiny bore down, making my heart flutter with unease. The steadiness of the water around me was a small comfort. Had I possessed legs and stood on solid ground, I might have buckled under the pressure.
Swallowing my nerves, I found my voice. "Captain, I woke up at my post by the gate without any recollection of my past. I don't remember anything, sir."
His deep-set eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the cluttered desk. The easy smile faded, replaced by a serious and discerning expression. "When you say you don't remember anything, are you implying that you simply forgot your past, or that it's a deeper issue?"
Choosing my words carefully, I replied, "It's not a matter of forgetting, sir. It's as if I've been wiped clean. The only things I'm certain of are my name and my duty as a Merrow soldier." Despite the intense scrutiny I was under, I felt a pang of sympathy for the Captain. How bewildering it must be to have a soldier under his command suddenly claim to have lost all memory, leaving only a vague sense of identity and duty.
The Captain watched me for a few more seconds before leaning back in his chair and letting out a humming sound as if deep in thought… Every second that passed with him humming, I could feel myself becoming more and more stressed. Whatever he said next would most likely decide my future and that was not a comforting thought at all.
Eventually he broke the silence stopping his humming in a track and glanced at Bill as he spoke. "Take him to the medics and see if they have any clues as to what exactly is going on, if they are unable to figure anything out, take him into the city to see a priest, this could be a new form of attack on our kind which he fell upon by accident."
"Understood Captain." Bill said and brought his right hand to his left chest and lowered his head slightly before dropping his hand back and swimming towards the entrance we came in from. I did the same as him doing the salute he taught me before swimming after him to apparently see some medics.
As we exited the building Bill glanced over at me showing me a relaxed smile as if everything was taken care off.
"You're going to be all good, I actually assumed the same as the Captain, that you were a victim of some sort of attack without realizing, even if the medics or priests can't help you, they'll The Captain watched me in silence, his gaze piercing, assessing. After what felt like an eternity, he leaned back in his chair, releasing a humming sound that resonated through the room. It was a contemplative noise, one that indicated he was thinking, processing what I had said. The sound stretched on, each second amplifying the anxiety that was already consuming me. His next words could decide my fate, a thought that did anything but comfort me.
Eventually, the humming ceased, and the Captain broke the silence. His attention shifted from me to Bill as he began to speak. "Take him to the medics, see if they can provide any insights into his condition. If they're at a loss, find a priest in the city. This could be an unfamiliar form of assault on our kind that he inadvertently stumbled upon."
"Understood, Captain," Bill responded, offering a respectful salute - right hand to the left chest, head slightly bowed - before he turned to swim towards the entrance we had come through. I quickly followed his lead, mimicking his actions before following him back into the open water.
Once outside, Bill turned to me, his expression transformed from the serious soldier back into the more familiar, relaxed companion. His smile was reassuring, comforting. "You're going to be all good," he declared, his voice carrying a note of conviction that eased my fears slightly. "I was thinking along the same lines as the Captain. If you've been a victim of some form of attack, the medics or priests will figure it out. Even if they can't restore your memories, they can at least ensure you're physically okay. You're going to be fine."
His reassurance felt like a lifeline amidst turbulent waters. It didn't eliminate my anxiety entirely, but it lessened its grip. The tension that had been lodged in my stomach began to dissolve, replaced by a glimmer of relief. I couldn't recall the events leading up to this moment, and as far as Bill and the Captain were concerned, I was a possible victim, not an anomaly. If I played my cards right, I could avoid further suspicion and keep my secret safe.
"Understood," I replied, taking a deep breath as I absorbed Bill's reassurances. Despite the uncertainty of the situation, I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope ignite within me. If the medics or priests could unlock the memories this body once held, it could provide me with valuable insight into this world and my place within it.
I felt Bill's gaze on me, his eyes carrying a twinkle of understanding. "You know," he began, his tone thoughtful, "you speak in the same way as you did before you lost your memory. It's almost as if you're still 'you,' just without the past experiences. Makes me wonder if this could be a temporary situation."
His words piqued my interest. If this body's speech patterns mirrored my own, it could suggest that Gale had manipulated things to make my integration easier. But that brought a slew of new questions. Had Gale specifically chosen this body? Or was it simply a coincidence?
As we navigated through the labyrinthine encampment, I voiced another question that had been brewing in my mind. "Sorry if this sounds weird, but I wish to know, were- or are we friends?" I inquired, genuinely curious about this past relationship I apparently shared with Bill.
Bill's laughter echoed through the water, the lightheartedness of his tone contrasting with the gravity of my situation. "We've been through a lot together, you and I," he began. "We joined the ranks at the same time, faced the grueling trials of training side by side, and have shared guard duties at the same outpost for the past two years. If you hadn't mentioned your memory loss, I would have been none the wiser. Not until you acted in a way that was completely out of character for Lucas."
A pang of guilt stabbed at my conscience. I had taken over his friend's body, disrupted a friendship that had been nurtured and fortified over years of shared experiences. Even if this 'Lucas' was nothing more than a collection of data, to Bill he was a real entity, a trusted comrade. And now, he was gone, replaced by an intruder in a familiar shell.
Observing my guilt-stricken expression, Bill probably mistook my guilt for distress over my memory loss. "Hey, don't stress over it," he quickly assured me, his tone ringing with genuine concern and optimism. "I'm sure your memories will come back. And even if they don't, it's not the end of the world. We can always make new memories."
His optimism was indeed infectious, and despite my guilt and apprehension, I found myself buoyed by his words. His conviction made me believe in the possibility of a positive outcome. As we continued to swim, the scenery around us began to morph. The strictly utilitarian structures of the military encampment gave way to the ornate stonework of an imposing building, reminiscent of the grandeur of Roman or Greek architecture, but submerged beneath the water's surface. The elaborate edifice had the distinct air of a medical facility from a bygone era, its ancient charm undiminished by the passage of time. This would seem be my next stop, the place where I would seek help for a predicament unheard of in this world probably: the medics.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Penpool
Penpool I lied I was too intrigued myself to stop writing so I guess there will be another chapter today.
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